Bulgaria and Austria share common interests and concerns on issues on the European and the international agenda
12 February 2015 News
Bulgaria and Austria share common interests and concerns on issues on the European and the international agenda, said Minister Daniel Mitov at joint press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria Sebastian Kurz, who is visiting Sofia at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart. Today's visit, the first at this level for the past eight years, reaffirms the high level of trust between our two countries and the excellent state of bilateral relations, he added.
The two foreign ministers welcomed the Minsk ceasefire agreement for Ukraine and expressed hope that it will be observed by all sides. Minister Mitov reaffirmed the support for the extraordinary diplomatic efforts of Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande and the High Representative Mogherini and expressed Bulgaria's willingness to implement the whole range of measures to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. Bulgaria and Austria, along with the entire EU, will work hard to create conditions for free, peaceful and independent development of friendly Ukraine, where we have a direct interest related to the historical Bulgarian community there, he said.
The European future of the countries of Southeastern Europe is another matter on which Bulgaria and Austria share a common view. Minister Daniel Mitov said that an enhanced bilateral dialogue is underway in the context of the upcoming conference in Vienna with the participation of all Western Balkan countries. Our goal is to encourage them to keep up the reforms that will allow them to realize their European prospects, Mitov said.
The talks focused also on the further development of bilateral relations. Minister Mitov pointed out the upcoming high and highest level exchange, the Austrian assistance for Bulgaria’s first EU Presidency in 2018 and for its accession to the Schengen border-free area and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, as well as the shared interest in building the European Energy Union, which should give the ultimate guarantee for our energy security and independence.
For his part, Minister Sebastian Kurz noted the active cooperation between the two countries in the economic sphere. Austria is the second-largest foreign investor in Bulgaria, with 400 Austrian enterprises active in Bulgaria, he said. Minister Kurz shared the positive assessments of the Austrian business in Bulgaria to the new government and the initiated reforms.
The two foreign ministers signed an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of Austria on cooperation in culture, education, science and youth. The official ceremony was attended by Minister of Education Todor Tanev and Minister of Youth and Sports Krasen Kralev.
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